There is no shortage of local entertainment for the high school sports fan this weekend, as three of the most anticipated preseason tournaments of the winter season run through today.
Events kicked off Thursday at Stanislaus State’s Fitzpatrick Arena with the start of the 48th Frank Godinez Boys Basketball Tournament. This is the first time in the nearly five decades of the tournament that varsity games are being played off the campus of Turlock High School. The university is hosting each varsity game of the three-day event, which features Turlock, Oakdale, Modesto, Grace Davis, Patterson, East Union, Johansen and Golden Valley.
The tournament, which usually takes place the second week of December, was pushed up a week after timing conflicts came about when the 2024-23 schedule was being constructed last year. Despite the move in dates, there remained a scheduling conflict, as the usual venue, Bulldog Arena, had already been booked to host the annual Bulldog Classic wrestling tournament, an event that requires mats to be put in place a full day before Saturday’s action.
Luckily, the Stanislaus State volleyball and basketball teams were all on the road this week, and the folks there were quick to welcome Turlock High with open arms.
Even with the varsity games moving to North Turlock, there remained a conflict with the junior varsity competitions. While those games remained at Marchant Gymnasium for Thursday, Friday’s slate took place at nearby Dutcher Middle School to avoid the heavy traffic and road closures leading up to the annual Turlock Christmas Parade. Games will return to THS today.
Host Turlock High dropped their first two games of the weekend, a 52-50 loss to Oakdale in Thursday’s opener, and a 35-24 loss at the buzzer to East Union in the varsity bracket, and will play today at 1:30 p.m. in the seventh-place game.
The tournament is named after local legend Frank Godinez, a longtime sports reporter for the Journal. He was nicknamed Mr. Bulldog, as he was known to be on the sidelines for most Turlock High’s sporting events.
Admission for the varsity games at Stan State is $10 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and armed service veterans. Kids ages 12 and under get in free today for the last action.
The Bulldog Classic wrestling tournament gets underway at 9 a.m. today from Turlock High’s Bulldog Arena, with championship matches expected to start at around 4 p.m.
Dozens of local high school boys and girls programs are expected to compete today, which is one of the few preseason wrestling tournaments of the week in the area.
Across town at the Turlock Regional Sports Complex behind Pitman High School will be a handful of local soccer teams battling it out on the final day of the 15th annual Pride Cup.
Host Pitman will play Delhi at 9 a.m. to start their day. The Pride won their opening game 6-0 against Grace Davis on Friday.
